BACKGROUND: Booster interventions may be useful in promoting workers' hearing protection device (HPD) use. Previous research on the effectiveness and the optimal timeframe for boosters is limited and inconsistent. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 403 workers were assigned to receive an individually tailored booster, a control booster, or no booster. The booster intervention groups were further divided by timeframe. Frequency of HPD use was measured 12 months post-intervention. RESULTS: The booster intervention groups significantly accounted for the variance in HPD use in Year 2. Workers in middle-term booster (67-94 days) group reported a significantly greater increase in HPD use in Year 2 than those in other timeframes, when potential covariates were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS:Booster intervention letters mailed between 67 and 94 days post-initial intervention may promote HPD use among participants. Future research should explore additional factors associated with optimal booster design, including more innovative mobile and internet-based approaches.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Booster interventions may be useful in promoting workers' hearing protection device (HPD) use. Previous research on the effectiveness and the optimal timeframe for boosters is limited and inconsistent. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 403 workers were assigned to receive an individually tailored booster, a control booster, or no booster. The booster intervention groups were further divided by timeframe. Frequency of HPD use was measured 12 months post-intervention. RESULTS: The booster intervention groups significantly accounted for the variance in HPD use in Year 2. Workers in middle-term booster (67-94 days) group reported a significantly greater increase in HPD use in Year 2 than those in other timeframes, when potential covariates were controlled for. CONCLUSIONS: Booster intervention letters mailed between 67 and 94 days post-initial intervention may promote HPD use among participants. Future research should explore additional factors associated with optimal booster design, including more innovative mobile and internet-based approaches.
Authors: Stephen Magura; Michael G Miller; Timothy Michael; Robert Bensley; Jason T Burkhardt; Anne Cullen Puente; Carolyn Sullins Journal: BMC Emerg Med Date: 2012-11-21